Tough runs: Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com recently ranked the 10 toughest schedules in the nation. And look who is No. 4: Michigan, the only Big Ten school on the list. It’s hard not to disagree. Look at this to-do list for Brady Hoke’s crew:

I say, “Yes.” I just don’t think a “small conference” team merits sitting at the same table as schools from larger leagues because of the imbalance in competition. Getting to the playoffs shouldn’t be about finishing unbeaten. It should be about forging a great record vs. a great schedule. And teams from small conferences just don’t play great schedules.

Isn’t it fun to play the “what if” game? You know: What if Starling had opted to attend Nebraska as a quarterback? Would he have unseated Taylor Martinez by now? Or, would the competition have made Martinez even better?

Fascinating.

Early success: The preview magazines have hit the newsstands! Hallelujah! Randy Peterson of the Des Moines Register takes a look at the Big Ten’s three new coaches: Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, Illinois’ Tim Beckman, and Penn State’s Bill O’Brien. Which one will have the most success is Year One?

My guess: Meyer. It’s pretty obvious, too. He has the most talent of perhaps any team in the Big Ten. And his Buckeyes will be motivated to excel in the regular season, knowing they can’t win the Big Ten or play in a bowl.

Preseason honors: The one-and-only Phil Steele is out with his four-team preseason All-American squads. Only two Big Ten players are on the first team. One isn’t a surprise: Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. The other is a surprise: Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. Really, Hankins is the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten? Better than teammate John Simon (second team) and Purdue’s Kawann Short (third team)? Wow.

I have to agree. But, as Oller points out, if new Buckeye boss Urban Meyer leads Ohio State to a national title—the memory of Tressel’s unceremonious ouster will fade.

New year: Speaking of Ohio State, keep an eye on linebacker Curtis Grant. He arrived on campus last year as the most heralded player in the 2011 Buckeye recruiting class. But Grant arrived heavy and was slow to pick up the schemes. Consequently, he was largely relegated to special teams. But Grant has slimmed down and impressed in spring drills. And that’s good news for an Ohio State linebacking corps that will include Ryan Shazier, Storm Klein and Etienne Sabino in addition to Grant and has a lot to prove.

My take:This is a real blow to Purdue, as Gonnella was lauded by many as being a huge reason why Danny Hope was able to land his best recruiting class yet in West Lafayette. The fact Nick Saban pursued Gonnella validates his value as a personnel director.